Market Rasen Racecourse is set to host an exciting seven-race National Hunt meeting on Thursday, 12 November 2026, featuring a competitive programme of hurdle races and steeplechases. The afternoon card begins at 12:06 PM and concludes at 3:36 PM, with runners aged three and above competing across distances ranging from two miles to more than three miles. The meeting offers a total of £60,250 in prize money, with the longest-distance contests providing a test of stamina and consistency.
The second race, The Book Boxing Day at the Races ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle Race, is the richest contest on the card, carrying £11,000 in prize money. Scheduled for 12:41 PM, the Class 4 event is open to horses aged four and above and will be run over two miles, six furlongs and 41 yards. It is expected to provide an interesting opportunity for maiden hurdlers to demonstrate their ability over a longer distance.
The meeting opens at 12:06 PM with The Tractor Drivers Go Free Today! Maiden Hurdle Race, a Class 4 GBB Race offering £10,000 in prize money. Open to horses aged four and above, the contest will cover two miles, one furlong and 157 yards. As the opening event, it will give runners an opportunity to make an early impression at the meeting.
At 1:16 PM, attention turns to The Melton Mowbray Market Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 4 GBB Race worth £9,750. The contest is scheduled over three miles, one furlong and 93 yards and is open to horses aged four and above rated between 0 and 110. The extended distance will place emphasis on stamina, jumping ability and consistency throughout the race.
The fourth race, The Lincolnshire Rural Support Network Handicap Steeple Chase, is scheduled for 1:51 PM. This Class 5 contest offers £7,250 in prize money and will be run over two miles, six furlongs and 211 yards. Open to horses aged four and above, the race is restricted to runners rated between 0 and 100, providing an opportunity for competitors to demonstrate their staying ability.
The programme continues at 2:26 PM with The NFU Mutual Agriculture Raceday Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race. The Class 5 contest carries £6,750 in prize money and will take place over two miles, six furlongs and 41 yards. Open to horses aged three and above rated between 0 and 100, the race will test the participants’ jumping skills and ability to maintain their pace over the distance.
At 3:01 PM, the focus shifts to The Equisign Tack and Feeds Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Race, which offers another £6,750 in prize money. The Class 5 event is open to mares aged four and above and will be contested over three miles and 138 yards. The longer distance makes stamina an important factor, with runners required to maintain their rhythm and jumping efficiency throughout the contest.
The meeting concludes at 3:36 PM with The Market Rasen Handicap Hurdle Race, a Class 4 contest carrying £8,750 in prize money. Open to horses aged three and above rated between 0 and 120, the race will cover two miles, one furlong and 157 yards. As the final event of the afternoon, it will bring the seven-race programme to a close.
With two maiden hurdles, two steeplechases and three handicap hurdle contests, the Market Rasen meeting promises a varied afternoon of National Hunt racing. The programme combines shorter-distance challenges with demanding staying events, offering opportunities for horses across different age groups and ratings.
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